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Obama traces slave route in Senegal

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Obama is all things to whomever he talks to: Today in Africa, he's a guy who has slave blood coursing through his veins (nevermind the fact that Pappy Obama was born in Kenya).

In 1647 a court in Colonial Virginia sentenced a guy named John Punch to a “lifetime of enslavement”, as punishment for him trying to escape his indentured servitude. What makes that significant is that John Punch was an African and with his sentence he became the first documented African slave in the American Colonies.

Mr. Punch appears to have made the best of it and settled down to live his life as a slave. Along the way he fathered some kids and started his genealogical legacy in America. John’s decedents spread out all over the place. And then one fateful day it happened that Mr. Punch’s ten times great granddaughter, Stanley Ann Dunham, gave birth to his eleven times great grandson Barack Hussein Obama II.

Obama”s Pappy might not have slave roots but his Mammy do.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I may be a bit callous in saying this but the slaves ancestors are much better off here in the US than if they remained in Africa. Yes, they were treated like property, raped, beaten and perhaps worse. Chinese immigrants, similar to a lesser degree. Indentured servants, were abused until... In the continent of Africa tribal chaos was present at the time and even continues today.

agree, but in the liberal western media, if the victims are/were black, it's a big deal. early asian immigrants suffered, but no one gives a hoot.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"Gratuitous nay-saying and snide remarks about Obama's trip to Africa is hardly the noble stuff of modern day centurions."

Obama has the gift of getting both the extreme right and the nuts on the left frothing at the mouth.

That is but one reason for why he's admired by those if us not in the above categories.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

President Obama is undeniably a hero to millions of African Americans who did come to the US as slaves. Everybody want to know their roots; many Americans have the chance to know; but for those who were slaves, who had their heritage and identity and family stolen from them; it is impossible to know. President Obama lets these folk know that the United States cares as much about their ancestry as anybody elses; say George Bush's Irish roots.

Furthermore; when the President visits African countries, it does a hell of a lot to encourage positive feelings about the Unites States in those countries he is visiting. These positive feelings seem to be much unappreciated; but if they change to negative feelings it is a huge cost to the US, as anybody who thinks about it for one minute should realize.

Gratuitous nay-saying and snide remarks about Obama's trip to Africa is hardly the noble stuff of modern day centurions.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Obama is all things to whomever he talks to: Today in Africa, he's a guy who has slave blood coursing through his veins (nevermind the fact that Pappy Obama was born in Kenya).

RR

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

@JeanValJean

" Obama mounted a rousing case for the vigorous defense of human rights worldwide…" nevermind the privacy invasion, though, it's for your "safety".

Invasion of privacy by government and corporations started well before Obama was elected president.

Changing the subject, America was not the only country to have slaves by a long shot. And the appalling thing is that slavery still exists in several countries, we just don't hear about it because it's not interesting enough to make the news.

Slavery must be stamped out. It may take time but it must be done.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

" Presidents travel the globe and give rousing speeches supporting causes deemed worthwhile by the general public both at home and abroad."

Do you really believe the public support such an extravagant cost at a time of such economic uncertainty? The Clintons trip was less than HALF that cost AND during a stronger economy. It matters.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

I may be a bit callous in saying this but the slaves ancestors are much better off here in the US than if they remained in Africa.

I had a chuckle at this. You believe this?? "tribal chaos"??

I suppose you think its best to move all of the "chaotic tribes" living in the Amazon, into city highrises so they can experience 'the good life' too?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Guys, griping about the price tag of presidential trips around the globe isn't particularly productive. Presidents travel the globe and give rousing speeches supporting causes deemed worthwhile by the general public both at home and abroad. It's part and parcel of the job. And this particular cause is a good one.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Surely that was $100,000,000.00 well-spent. I wonder what souvenirs they got for us. I'm hoping for a nice bongo drum. Not one made by child labor or from unethical treatment of animals, either. I'll settle for a tribal tunic, then.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

I may be a bit callous in saying this but the slaves ancestors are much better off here in the US than if they remained in >Africa.

Go visit Africa before opening your mouth on issues you have no knowledge of. I have been to the US several times and the same way some americans have a better life than some africans , the same way some africans have a better life than some americans, regardless of skin color.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Back on topic please. Posts that do not focus on Obama's African trip will be removed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

isn't Obama the first mixed race president? but in the article he says he is an African American president. but it is a tragic part of the shameful history of the world.

Obama is biracial, however, when you visually look at him and how the SOCIETY sees him, he looks more Black than white and when he is around White people and even growing up, they would identify him more as White. Now it also depends on how he personally feels and relates towards the two and Obama feels more racially and comfortable around Blacks, he can identify better with Blacks and there is nothing wrong with that, it can happen the opposite way as well. It depends on also your environment and the people and the neighbors around you and how the people around you feel and treat you.

Halle Berry explains it to a tee. But this is basically for biracial kids of Black and White the better and more fitting solution to follow and it helps them to integrate well in society.

Watch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRQ4iKgWL4g

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Obama, joined by his wife Michelle, herself a descendent of slaves, and daughters Malia and Sasha, stared out at the Atlantic Ocean through the “Door of No Return” at the island’s House of Slaves—the reputed last exit for thousands of manacled Africans destined for the New World.

Awwwww, what a Kodak/Hallmark moment that must have been. Hope it was worth the $100M it cost...

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

“This is a testament to, when we’re not vigilant in defense of human rights, what can happen,” Obama said, describing the visit as “a very powerful moment”.

“Obviously, for an African American, an African American president, to be able to visit this site, I think, gives me even greater motivation in terms of human rights around the world.”

Such hypocritical rubbish. Milking his race for all it is worth when none of his family are remotely connected to the practice of slavery in America. And as for using this as a means of promoting his quest for global "freedom" and "human rights".

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

" Obama mounted a rousing case for the vigorous defense of human rights worldwide…" nevermind the privacy invasion, though, it's for your "safety".

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I may be a bit callous in saying this but the slaves ancestors are much better off here in the US than if they remained in Africa. Yes, they were treated like property, raped, beaten and perhaps worse. Chinese immigrants, similar to a lesser degree. Indentured servants, were abused until... In the continent of Africa tribal chaos was present at the time and even continues today.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

isn't Obama the first mixed race president? but in the article he says he is an African American president. but it is a tragic part of the shameful history of the world. but what have we learned as people are still being in slaved.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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